How to Rearrange Your Kitchen Pantry for Max Efficiency

Stay on top and organise your kitchen storage

They say prevention is better than the cure. So in the world of kitchen storage, what is the cure for a chaotic pantry? If you have limited space to work with, things certainly get tricky – but not impossible. Read on for practical tips and solutions to use what space you have.

Think outside that boxWhen you’re tackling a pantry that’s become a disorganised mess, you need to look beyond the obvious fix of installing more cupboards or shelves. You’ll be surprised how much space is at your disposal with some thoughtful rearrangement. Take a closer look at the pockets of space you have available. Often, reorganisationstarts with putting things in its most efficient place. Start with clearing out the entire space and throwing away what you don’t want or need.

Organise according to heightEmpty space between shelving units will eat up your options. If you have shelves with various heights, think about where you place taller and smaller goods. There’s no point in storing spices on a shelf that can handle much taller items. Arrange your goods (and if possible, your shelves) to accommodate what you’re doing. Place items with similar heights next to each other – lighter, lower good on top shelves, and bulkier goods placed lower.

Think of useYou should leave space at the bottom areas of your pantry for bulky items like food processing machines, pet food, and other heavy items that you don’t use regularly. For canned items, shelves can be closer together, as it’s an item you won’t need to open in the pantry. Boxes and flip-top containers need more space above, so you can access the contents without taking anything off the shelf. Think about how you use every item in your pantry and plan its placement accordingly.

Use the doorsThe space behind the back of pantry doors are often overlooked. Simply add a few door racks using the same spacing principal as above, and enjoy a whole new world of possibilities. Door racks are great for smaller, regularly used items, because of their easy accessibility. Visit your nearest home department store to explore your options.

Get practicalThe key to proper space utilisation is to create additional spacefrom what is already available. A tiered corner unit, for example, can be used to create additional storage space for cookbooks and odds-and-ends. You can also add furniture to your pantry for practical and aesthetic purposes. There are so many ways of looking at space – train yourself to ask “How can I do this differently?” All you need is some imagination and creativity.